Amore Mio ➤ Daniel Ricciardo

Communication

1
"El, what is going on?" Blair asked when she entered the office of Elvira. She closed the door behind her and took a seat in the comfortable stool while clamping her laptop and documents against her chest.

The look in Elvira's eyes was not amused, her face, in general, was not amused; Blair interrupted her concentration. She looked at Blair and faked a smile. "Nothing, just work stress." She started to write an email and focused on the French words what flowed over the screen.

Blair placed her package on the desk and watched her working in silence. She noticed Elvira was wearing more makeup like she used to do. Like she wanted to cover up the red, irritated cheeks. Her eyes were tired, even though Elvira was trying to cover it up by smiling. Even her smile was looking fake. The clothes she was wearing were telling a dark story. Normally Elvira whore colours and a happy top, but for the last few weeks, everything she wore was black.

"Nope, we are not gonna do it this way," Blair broke the silence. "Elvira." The tone in her voice was cold, but it almost sounded worried.

Elvira was stubborn enough to ignore Blair and shut her out.

"Elvira." Blair stared annoyedly at her colleague. "Come on, don't ignore me, Elvira."

Elvira lowered her eyebrows and looked at Blair. "What?" She snarled and let her hands rest above the keyboard.

"Talk to me. What is going on? I am worried."

Elvira parted her lips and relaxed her face. Her shoulders lowered, and she placed her hands on her lap. "Everything sucks. Samuel is shitting on me for his ideas, he denies everything I bring on the table. And he just sits there, on his lazy ass, watching porn!" She ranted. "And Marcel is a fucking dick. He is engaged, for fuck's sake. He went behind his fiancee's back on dates with me. Can you believe that? I am the one who could destroy someone's life. It's his fault and he acts like it's mine." She deeply inhaled. "And there is Daniel. I screwed it up again. I don't think we will be friends ever again. I was stupid enough to not believe him; meanwhile, I knew bloody good he was right every time. This is feeling more worse than a breakup." Her head was pounding from the tears she was trying to hide and not let them roll over her cheek. "I am one big mistake. And the fact my computer is dead, and I need to call Marcel is making everything worse."

Blair widened her eyes, she did not expect this overload of negativity. Her eyes were laid on Elvira's face; the corners of her mouth were curled down, the pain was shown in her eyes. "Merde, Elvira," Blair mumbled. "For how long is this going on?"

"A few weeks."

Blair sighed and shook her head. "Merde, Elvira, merde. Why haven't you told me this earlier?" Elvira parted her lips to say something, but Blair cut her off by saying: "it's four o'clock and you are not gonna sit here and tell me everything. We are leaving. The last hour is nonsense. Come on."

2
Elvira pored hot water in two cups and walked to the living room of her flat. She placed the cups on the coasters and lift her arm to let the boxes of tea fall on the table she was holding under her arm.

"Fine, so what happened?" Blair asked. Elvira took a seat in the corner of the sofa and placed her left foot under her right leg. "What is going on?"

"Gosh, I don't want to tell it again," Elvira mumbled and looked down.

"For how long is this going on?"

"Since Shanghai."

Blair widened her eyes. "Woman, that was four weeks ago. I know we both have been busy, but why did you not tell me anything?"

Elvira pressed her lips into a thin line after she licked it. "I know."

"I know you for almost eight years, and I know you are not a good speaker when it comes to feelings, I know that. But something is breaking you, and you are gonna tell me what it is," Blair commanded her strictly and pointed at her.